Grosse Pointe Boat Club
2025 BRIDGE AND BOARD
OFFICERS
Veronica Greiner, Commodore
Paul Maiale, Vice Commodore
Teri Davis, Rear Commodore
BOARD MEMBERS
PC Brian Fromm
Dan Currier
Kathy Grabruck
Tom Krall
Christie Wadsworth
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Sheri Allor, Treasurer
Sharon Stellingwerf, Secretary
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Joan Ferguson, Membership Chair
Sheila Tomkowiak, Website Administrator
Tamra Fromm, Website Editor
PAST COMMODORES
1960-61 Dr. Edward R. Stoliker
1962-63 Al Adams
1964 Wilfred Barbret
1965 Robert Drean
1966 Russell Davis, III
1967 Stanley Shanck
1968 Frank Voorwerk
1969 Alvan Turney
1970 Ralph Bower
1971 Francis M. Huxley
1972 Edward Hickey
1973 Dr. Milton Lipson
1974 Ralph Burton
1975 Bruce Reynolds
1976 Dr. Frank McGillen
1977 Eugene O’Brien, Jr.
1978 Clifford Crockford
1979 James Finney
1980 Arthur Behm
1981 Charles L. Howe
1982 Thomas Guthat
1983 Dr. William C. Quinlan, Jr.
1984 Dale N. Scrace
1985 Robert Green
1986 William Twiddy
1987 Charles Witzke
1988 John Henfrey Smith
1989 Philip Allor
1990 Crosby Boyd
1991 Edward L. Harrah
1992 Arthur Kainz
1993 John Onstwedder
1994 Greg Tisdale
1995 Kenneth Munn
1996 Danny Krease
1997 Larry A. Dowers
1998 Thomas C. Van Der Maas
1999 David Hohlfeldt
2000 Bruce Srupp
2001 Ronald J. Borghi
2002 Donald Smolenski
2003 Frank Stellingwerf
2004 Stephen L. Sholty
2005 Jane K. Davies
2006 John Popovich
2007 Sheila Young Tomkowiak
2008 Wayne Onstwedder
2009 James Grenda
2010 Anne Nyboer
2011 Linda Onstwedder
2012 Maj-Britt Black
2013 Phil Gilbert
2014 Chris Greiner
2015 Geoff Boynton
2016 Jason Merkel
2017 Donald Smolenski
2018 George (Buzz) Young
2019 Reggie Beckius
2020 Dale Cox
2021 Leslie Wagner
2022 Elizabeth Natter
2023 Matt Bontomasi
2024 Brian Fromm
Founded in 1959, The Grosse Pointe Boat Club is a boating and social club (sail and power) located in Neff Park in the City of Grosse Pointe. The family-oriented club operates out of a repurposed garage fondly nicknamed The Littlest Club. The club hosts a variety of events including parties at the park and in the Scrace Marina, weekend rendezvous at various points on Lake St. Clair, sailboat races, and an annual Christmas party and Commodore’s Ball. We also offer annual safety inspections for boats in the marina.
THE LATEST NEWS
Kaiser Cup 2025
The weather always comes through for the annual Kaiser Cup regatta! Last Sunday was a picture-perfect late summer afternoon for a sailboat race. Seven boats came out to run around the buoys in a steady but somewhat shifty wind, warm temps and sunny skies. It’s commonly known that sometimes luck can have more to do with success than anything. The crew of Conundrum had a very lucky race and took home the Cup this year. The other skippers were Dale Scrace, Lee Nyboer, Professor Grandpa Kaiser, Iron Bob Krueger, Matt Utley, PC Phil Allor — defending his victory from ’24 — and last-minute entry Aaron (Not Al) Wagner.
A lot of the fun of the Kaiser Cup is the gaggle of members who come out to the end of the pier to watch the race and keep the Dock Committee company. Handling cannon, clock and scoring duties were PC Sheila Tomkowiak, Gary Rowoldt and dock stalwart Renee Navarro. It was great to see Ed Harrah out, looking well and keeping an eye on things. He took some very nice photos, even a video of the start. Also watching from the pier were Sheri Allor and Mary Scrace.
Some say the best part of the Kaiser Cup is after the race when the pavilion fills with racers, officials, family and friends. Crew and fans enjoyed food, drinks, lots of smiles and laughs, and the presentation of award flags from the regular season. This was followed by the presentation of the Kaiser Cup for the tenth year.
A huge thanks to Kelly Maiale for hosting the party, doing an outstanding job. Thanks also to Commodore Veronica for logistical support and Lou and Maxine Hartman for handling the registration desk and cashbox.
For photos of the race and afterparty (thanks to shutterbugs Ed Harrah, Sheila, Veronica and Teri Davis!), click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCu2Gb
Milliken Rendezvous 2025
Another successful rendezvous for the books with six boats and 14 people attending! Thanks to PC Matt Bontomasi and Jen DeWard for organizing the event and the fun dinner at Andrew’s On The Corner, a short ten minute walk from the park. On Friday evening, after everyone settled into their slips, the group gathered at Matt’s boat. Saturday was a day to explore the locale with so much in the area to do. Late Saturday afternoon the group all met at the Hart’s boat for appetizers and libations. Then on to Andrew’s for dinner. The parking for Milliken was great, just across from the entrance to the park. Where in the city can you park for $5.00!?
For more photos, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCrXSx
Western BBQ 2025
Membership Chair Joan Ferguson and PC James Grenda hosted a spectacularly lively and well attended mid-August event! Altogether, we had were 72 who RSVP’ed, four walk-ins, three grandchildren over the age of 12 (including the very polite Stellingwerf grandsons) and five in the five-and-under group. That’s 84 people. Wow! This crowd enjoyed pulled pork, beef brisket, Mexican corn, baked beans, cornbread and various BBQ sauces. Real authentic barbeque prepared by Bird Dog BBQ. Quite a feat for one food truck!
Our favorite Poet Laureate PCX2 Don Smolenski recited a poem that made us all laugh about getting older. Keep it up, Don, it’s another bright spot at our events!
The 50/50 was won by Treasurer, Sheri Allor, who received $133 while the club took in $134. New member Peggy Golasa pulled the winning ticket.
A big thank you goes out from the hosts to those who helped with set up and clean up: Dir. Kathy Grabruck, Steve Bowler, RC Teri Davis, Gary Rowoldt, Marty and Laura Casey, Maxine and Lou Hartman, Eric Hagelthorn, PC Brian Fromm, PC George Young, Commodore Veronica Greiner, Lynne and Bernie Loperfido, Sara Zobl (by the way, we love that new juniors table!), Ken Wojtkowiak, and Jay Kaiser. Special thanks to Jane Davies for help with the planning, set up and clean up, along with providing the beautiful floral arrangements on the tables. And thanks to VC Paul Maiale for installing the locks on the new refrigerator and a new lock on the right-side closet door.
Volunteerism is definitely the cornerstone of our club!
Click here for more photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCr2kx
Metro Beach Rendezvous 2025
PCX2 Don and Paula Smolenski hosted a record-breaking rendezvous event in terms of attendance on July 19 – 20. In total, TEN boats and 27 people!
While the skies were cloudy, the rain thankfully held off. True to form, some made their way via boat while others by car. But, according to Matt Bontomasi and Jen DeWard, it was a good weekend to be on the boat. Paula and Don cooked a mess of chicken shawarma for the group and everyone brought dishes to pass. It looks like fun was had by all! Thank you to Paula and Don for continuing this tradition of hosting/organizing/cooking for the Metro Beach Rendezvous.
And a Happy 40th birthday to Tom Krall who came with wife Lauren by boat for the day to celebrate with other GPBC members!
For more photos, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCnkWr
Summer in the City
A memorable evening that truly embodies the club’s credo: ‘Fun and Friendship on the Lake’. More than 56 people (not including the children) came together for a night of community, laughter, and lakeside camaraderie.
Despite the unpredictable weather forecast, the skies cleared and the evening turned out to be as beautiful as any summer night could be. Guests enjoyed classic seasonal fare, including burgers and hot dogs, plenty of other dishes and condiments. Once again catered by Jefferson Street Pub. The food received rave reviews and will undoubtedly return for future club events.
A heartfelt thank you to those who helped bring the event to life: RC Teri Davis, Dir. Kathleen Grabruck and Steve Bowler who assisted with tent and event setup. The reception desk was warmly managed by RC Teri Davis and Gary Rowoldt. The club also proudly hosted the inaugural Junior Members Launch, presented by Sara Zobl, marking an exciting step forward for our (distant) next generation of members.
As always, the ever-vigilant Jane Davies ensured food service stayed on track and flowed smoothly throughout the night. Cleanup was a team effort, with many hands making light work – and in a generous final gesture, remaining food was donated to Grosse Pointe City’s public safety officers.
Here’s to many more nights of summer magic on the lake with great friends, good food, and unforgettable memories!
~Paul & Kelly Maiale
Homeport Rendezvous & Commodores’ Breakfast
Call this weekend’s back-to-back events whatever you want, but ‘smashing successes’ would do very nicely!
On Saturday evening Commodore Veronica Greiner and PC Sheila Tomkowiak co-hosted the annual Homeport Rendezvous. More than 50 people were treated to a lovely evening of food, friendship, and frivolity beneath the Littlest Club tents. As predicted, the weather was perfect. PC Matt Bontomasi and Jen DeWard booted PCs Buzz Young and Dale Scrace from the check-in table and greeted a flood of eager partiers while Veronica and Sheila executed a wonderful event. At the end a small army of members rolled up their sleeves and pitched in to clean up from the dinner and stage for breakfast the next morning.
If Saturday evening’s weather was perfect, Sunday morning’s was even perfecter (if that’s a word?). The Commodores’ Breakfast was a masterpiece of organization by PC Brian Fromm. Especially when it comes to wrangling this bunch! And it was a really big bunch, too. Officially, attendance was 110 people for breakfast — with a dozen of those under the age of five! Thanks to the great army of unnamed members who helped organize activities for the kiddos in attendance and put the Littlest Club back together when all was said and done.
The annual PCs photograph, taken by Jen DeWard, featured no fewer than 20 past commodores. This includes PCX2 Don Smolenski, aka ‘Grace’, aka ‘The Baconator’ and our in-house Poet Laureate, who didn’t let a broken leg prevent him from hanging with his peeps.
For more photos, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCjYph
Sangria Party 2025
Saturday’s soirée was one for the books and a real toast to summer! Director and first-time host, Christie Wadsworth, along with her co-hosts RC Teri Davis and new member Victoria Grolshagen, did a fantastic job throwing together a memorable party on a gorgeous evening.
From the first pour to the final bite, the evening was filled with laughter, flavor, and sunshine-in-a-glass vibes — all beautifully complemented by Honeybee Market’s stellar catering. The event struck the perfect balance of casual and chic, as guests mingled, tasted, and toasted — making the most of a warm evening with great company.
Congratulations to Commodore Veronica for winning the 50/50 raffle!
Thank you to all of our volunteers: Steve Bowler and Kathleen Grabruck, Ken Casey, PC Jane Davies, Veronica Greiner, Lynne Loperfido, Erica Martin, RC Paul and Kelly Maiale, Lee and PC Ann Nyboer, Gary Rowoldt, and Shiloh Wadsworth.
Click here for more photos: https://flic.kr/s/
Fitting Out Party 2025
Mother Nature just couldn’t make up her mind what weather to send us for the 2025 GPBC season opener. Hosted by PC Jane Davies, Betsy and PC Dave Hohlfeldt, and PC’s Linda and Wayne Onstwedder, we had some of everything — wind, chilly temps, light rain and occasionally some sunshine. However, GPBC members are easy going and flexible, uncertainty is never allowed to stand in the way of a Great Party!
Maxine and Lou Hartman graciously greeted 67 Guests at the reception table who were then offered a series of special ‘Lake Sunset Breeze’ cocktails.
PC’s Wayne Onstwedder and Dave Hohlfeldt prepared grilled chicken breasts, corned beef, potatoes and carrots, rice/broccoli/cheese casserole as well as Caesar salad PC Dave’s sausages and kraut as special extras.
The Past Commodore’s Club was robust in attendance — around 15 PC’s from 1984 through 2024 — who are still members and enjoying GPBC fun and friendship on the lake!
PC Dan Krease pocketed $93 with the winning 50/50 raffle ticket.
VC Paul Maiale stepped in for under-the-weather Cmdr. Veronica Greiner to welcome Guests, keep the gathering rolling smoothly and up to date on future GPBC calendar activities.
None of this happens without the generous collaboration of so many member volunteers who helped with pre-event set-up, clearing, and breaking-down of tables, etc. Thank you to all!
Click here for more photos https://flic.kr/s/
Clubhouse Cleanup Day gets things in ‘Ship Shape’
Phase II, involving scraping and prepping, was completed in less than two hours! An intrepid crew that included PC Tom VanDerMaas, Joel Stone, Jay Kaiser, Dave Fries, new members Henry Webb and Keller Wilson, Commodore Veronica and PC Buzz Young now have the ‘old girl ready for Phase III – painting. Thanks to all who lent a hand!
Congratulations to the 2025 Bridge & Board
Introducing the 2025 Grosse Pointe Boat Club Bridge and Board of Directors. Pictured at their April meeting at Neff Park, they have been busy planning an exciting season of events with special emphasis on fun and friendship.
From left to right: Director Kathy Grabruck, Treasurer Sheri Allor, Rear Commodore Teri Davis, Director Christie Wadsworth, Vice Commodore and Joker in Chief Paul Maiale, Commodore Veronica Greiner, PC Brian Fromm, Secretary Sharon Stellingwerf, Membership Chair Joan Ferguson, Website Editor Tamra Fromm, Director Dan Currier. NOT PICTURED: Director Tom Krall and PC Buzz Young (behind the camera).
Ladies Tea 2025
April showers bring May flowers — and April also brings on the GPBC Ladies Tea. Indeed, it was a tea-riffic gathering of GPBC ladies at the Pink House Tea Room in New Baltimore! A great way to get to know some newer members and nosh with old friends. Hot tea, scones, and brunch fare were top-notch. Thank you to Karen Grobbel for arranging the event!
(Left to right) Kelly Maiale, VC Teri Davis, host Karen Grobbel, Ceci Chmielewski, Heidi Much, Nora Utley, and new member Kristen Milio. Photo courtesy of Cmdre. Veronica Greiner.
Feather Bowling 2025
Another successful evening of dining and feather bowling at the Cadieux Cafe as 35 GPBC members showed up — 22 to bowl and 13 for dinner and to cheer on the bowlers. Thanks to hosts PC Brian & Tamra Fromm and new members Kristin & Ron Milio, the event went very smoothly. We applaud Kristen and Ron for stepping up to co-host as there’s no better way to get to know fellow members!
Much appreciation also for PC Liz Natter who set up Sign Up Genius for the event and reminded us all how to feather bowl. And a big shout-out to Clair Nyboer for taking such good care of us during dinner.
Click here to for more photos: https://flic.kr/s/
Commodore’s Ball 2025
Bayview Yacht Club was the site of the GPBC 2025 Commodore’s Ball. And what a site it was! Sixty-six people came to celebrate PC Brian and the terrific job he did at the helm in 2024.
We had two big, beautiful rooms — one dedicated for cocktail mingling and enjoying each others’ company, featuring our own bar and staff. A continuously running slide show of vintage club photos — many going back decades — highlighted our theme ‘Fun and Friendship on the Lake’. The other room was for dining on an absolutely delicious meal and conducting the annual membership business meeting where the proverbial torch of club leadership was passed.
The program included a poetry reading by our own laureate, PCX2 Don Smolenski, and a rousing sendoff song to Brian from all PCs in attendance (I think there was supposed to be a melody in there somewhere!)
RC Paul made a special Corinthian Yachtsman award presentation to Buzz Young, who has moved off the Board of Directors after over 10 years, and is now the club Communications Chair. Finally, thanks for what little setup assistance was necessary — since the Bayview staff does such a tremendous job — go to Sheila, Buzz, Sheri and Brian. And special thanks to the Thrift Shop Cowboys for musical entertainment!
It was a fabulous evening that went off without a hitch, foreshadowing an equally fabulous season of boat club events in 2025!
Click here to for more photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC3Em9
Game Night 2025
Thirty-one GPBC members gathered on a dark January Saturday evening at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Grosse Pointe Woods to enjoy playing several games — some old favorites, including the very popular Rummikub! and some new. As always, this group never fails to have numerous delicious treats on hand. Loads of laughs proved everyone was having a great time!
Thank you to Karen & Chris Grobbel for creating the event back in 2024 and organizing again this year. And we had two prospective members join us after seeing Director Teri Davis’ wonderful bulletin board(s) at Neff Park.
Click here for more photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC186L